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High court asked to intervene in Montana case

HELENA — A conservative group challenging some Montana limits on corporate campaign spending is formally asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear its case.

American Tradition Partnership filed the request Tuesday. The group is challenging the state's 1912 Corrupt Practices Act.

A lower state court ruled the Montana law is unconstitutional in the wake of the high-profile 2010 Citizens United campaign finance decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. The Montana Supreme Court disagreed and reinstated the law, setting up the latest challenge.

The U.S. Supreme Court has already agreed to block the law, but that does not mean it will necessarily accept the case.

The conservative American Tradition Partnership says it wants to vindicate the political free speech rights of Montana corporations and unions. The state argues its law prevents political corruption.